Rhythm clock



' Oct. 14, 1969 W. A. PAPWORTH RHYTHM CLOCK 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 1. 1967 FIGS INVENTOR. FIG.1 WALT-ER APAPWORTH.

ATTORNEV Oct. 14, 1969 w A. PAPWORTH 3,472,018

RHYTHM CLOCK v Filed Dec. 1. 1967 z Sheets-Sheet 2 IKVENTOR.

ATTORNEY WA LT'ER A .PAPWORTH.

United States Patent 3,472,018 RHYTHM CLOCK Walter A. Papworth, 110 Berkeley Drive, Syracuse, N.Y. 13210 Filed Dec. 1, 1967, Ser. No. 687,285 Int. Cl. G04b 19/24 US. Cl. 584 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Rhythm clock comprising two settable coaxial dials clock-driven means, for frictionally driving the dials through one revolution in a period sufiicient to include the number of days of a menstrual cycle, one dial having indlcia representing the days of the period and a mark denoting the menarche of a menstrual cycle, and the other dial having a segment denotating at one end the beg nning and length of the fertility period, an index stationary on the clock, and manual setting means for rotating the other dial while braking rotation of the one dial to a position with the beginning end of the segment at a fixed angle from said index suificieut to include not more than the number of days elapsing between a menarche and the beginning of a subsequent fertility period and preventing rotation beyond the position, and manual means to rotate both the dials to a position with the menarche at the index, and means to prevent rotation of both dials beyond the last named position.

This invention relates to clocks, of a type intended to provide visual signals indicating the expected sequential timing of the phases of a womans menstrual cycle.

Its objects are: to retard the population explosion; to promote the rhythm method of birth control, and make the method more convenient and effective to use; to provide such a device in a form that will normally be kept in the bedroom, preferably but not necessarily an alarm clock, of a size and design sufficiently prominent that its message will be clearly apparent to both man and wife without searching examination, and to thereby cause them to share equally the responsibility for following its mechanical and impersonal guidance; to promote marital harmony; and to provide a unit with commercial potential for manufacture and widespread distribution, whose message is so simple that it can be understood by those who have no knowledge of numbers or arithmetic, and operated and used without any need for calculation.

Most importantly, this invention seeks to provide a rhythm clock which will automatically adjust itself for changes and variations in the length of the menstrual cycle, and whose monthly setting involves no more than the simple pull-turn, push-turn of a knob, without reference to any scale, graduations, or visual inspection.

Other points of possibly desirable significance are that resetting may be accomplished by turning randomly in either direction, and that turning more than necessary does no harm.

. The other and novel features of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts:

FIGURE 1 is a front view of the clock showing the appearance of its superimposed signalling dials through a large hole in the center of the clock face, and the location of the setting pinion dotted in. The whole cycle is preferably shown rather than one day at a time through a window, as the objectives as stated will be more fully realized in that way, and certain parts are lined for red and blue;

3,472,018 Patented Oct. 14, 1969 FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the brake member taken substantially on the line 33 of FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a face view of the outer dial showing its graduations, signalling segment lined for blue, a setting pinion and notch whereby the rotation of the dial in response of the turning of the pinion ends when the notch reaches the pinion;

FIGURE 5 is a similar view of the inner dial with a signalling segment lined for red and a similar notch;

FIGURE 6 shows a knurled member replacing the setting pinion, acting against the edges of the dials which may be knurled. A rubber or resilient friction pinion can be used and may be found preferable to regular toothed gearing;

FIGURE 7 shows a setting pinion arranged radially to the dial. This would permit placing the axis of the setting pinion at about the 5 oclock position, with the setting knob hidden in the base of the clock;

FIGURE 8 shows a similar arrangement employing a knurled or frictional pinion;

FIGURES 9, 10 and 11 show a variation where the same degree of automation may be obtained on the same general principle by positive stops rather than by notches in the dials. FIGURE 9 is a partial front view, FIGURE 10 is a side view, and FIGURE 11 a partial top view.

Referring to FIGURE 1 there is shown a clock case 20, the clock face 22 with the usual markings for hours and fractions thereof, the usual hands for seconds, minutes, hours, and alarm-set, and an index 24, here shown just under the 12 oclock position on the clock face. The position of the setting pinion behind the clock face is dotted in at the 3 oclock position. It could be positioned elsewhere if preferred.

In FIGURE 2 the clock frame is represented by its front plate 26, and is suitably mounted in the case. The clock works including a motor are mounted in the frame and have the conventional tubular sleeves on which the hands are mounted. Extending from the clockworks is also a slow-motion drive shaft 28 and drive pinion 30.

On the outer sleeve of the conventional tubular sleeves, a dial assembly unit is journalled for free rotation. This assembly has a tubular core 32 which has a flange at one end and a snap ring 34 or equivalent at its other end.

On the core are rotatably mounted from front to back, a washer, a front dial or signalling member 36, a rear dial or signalling member 38, a drive gear 40 meshing with the drive pinion 30, a spring washer 44, and the snap ring 34. The snap ring and spring washer hold the assembly together as a unit, and impose endwise friction between its several members. This makes up the dial assembly unit. A hole 46 in the clock face renders the dials 36 and 38 visible to the observer, or the clock face may be transparent in its center portion. It may be noted that the dials could be arranged in the base of the clock, or at its sides or top, in such a way that their edges and signals thereon would be within the intent of the invention.

The front dial 36, called the M-dial for easy identification, is transparent, and its circumference is marked with equal graduations, from 1 to 32 in the example shown. Other scales of graduation could be used, for example 1 to 35, l to'36, or 1 to 40. Each graduation indicates one 24-hour day. The drive shaft 28 and drive pinions 30 are so geared within the clockworks that they turn the gear 40 and the dial assembly with it, the space of one graduation each day. That is, in the example shown, the dial assembly will make one revolution in 32 days. The M- dial 36 has a colored or otherwise distinguished portion 48 extending from 1 to 5 and representing the period of active menstruation. The M-dial is the time measurer of the actual complete menstrual cycle, which may vary considerably from its nominal 28-day length. As shown it is lined for blue.

The inner dial 38, called the O-dial for easy identification, has an annular raised portion 50, which extends forward and may contact the M-dial. This raised portion has a colored segment 52 with a leading edge 54 and represents the ovulation phase of the cycle, broadened to include margins of possible fertility period before and after the actual time of ovulation. The leading edge 54 denotes the beginning of the fertility period. In the example, a period of eleven days is set up as the ovulationfertility period. In this device the eleven day allowance for fertility is held constant, while the variations in the overall length of the rhythm cycle are made by changes in the interval by which ovulation follows the incidence of menstruation. Of course other allowances could be made.

Both dials 36 and 38 have gear teeth on their edges adapted to mesh with the setting pinion 60, or may have knurled edges 62 and 64 adapted to be operably engaged by a knurled or resilient pinion 66 as in FIGURE 6. No particular ratio or number of teeth are required. -If desired, the setting pinion may be disposed on a radial axis as in FIGURES 7 and 8 where the pinion 72 is shown as adapted to drive crown teeth 68 or 70, or the friction wheel 78 is adapted to drive knurled edges 74 and 76, respectively.

The dial assembly, if set with its graduation 1 at the index 24- on the day when menstruation begins, will revolve slowly at one graduated space per day and show at the index: first, the -day allowance for active menstruation, then a variable and expectedly nonfertile period between the menstruation period 48 and the ovulationfertility period 52 and then a supposedly nonfertile period, and lastly the end of the whole cycle brought about by the incidence of new menstruation, hereinafter called the menarche. The term menarche is herein employed to designate the monthly incidence of menstruation. The length of the completed cycle is shown by the number on the M-dial 36 which is then at the index 24. More meticulous users will record these cycle lengths for a longtime average.

A prime requisite in the use of this device is that it be reset for the new period on the day when menstruation begins. Of course it can be manually set at other times, but that involves some care and calculation. The assumption is made that the new period will be the same length as the one just completed. The need thus becomes to set the timing of the ovulation-fertility period with reference to the end of a forthcoming cycle of the forecasted duration, and to let the interval by which ovulation follows menstruation in the program become what it may.

Referring again to FIGURE 2, there is shown a setting knob 82 on a setting shaft 80 journalled in a bushing 84, mounted in the frame 26, which has at its front end a setting pinion 60. This unit is so positioned that the setting pinion may mesh with the gear teeth in the edges of the dials 36 and 38, and the shaft 80 is shiftable endwise to permit the pinion to selectively engage and turn either of the dials. A brake member 86 attached to the frame has a V-shaped tongue 88 which is engaged by a conical portion 89 of a sleeve 90 when the shaft 80 is shifted backwardly, pressing the prong portions 92 of the brake member against the edge of the M-dial 36 and holding the dial stationary while the shaft 80 is in its backward position.

As shown in FIGURE 4 the M-dial has a notch 94 cut in its toothed edge -just large enough so that the pinion 60 can turn freely in it without turning the dial 36. This notch is located 90 clockwise from the numeral 1 of the graduations on the M-dial. This angle is marked A in FIGURE 4. This location is because the pinion 60 is positioned at 90 clockwise from the index 24 on the frame. Thus when the notch 94 comes to the pinion 60 4 the M-dial 36 will have its numeral 1 at the index 24, and will stop there.

As shown in FIGURE 5 the O-dial 38 has a similar notch 96. This is positioned so that the dial will stop when the leading edge 54 of the fertility signal 52 is a specified number of spaces clockwise from the index 24. In the example shown the leading edge 54 of the fertility signal 52 arrives at the index 24 eighteen days ahead of the forecasted end of the whole cycle. Thus in FIGURE 5, the leading edge 54 is 18 minus 8, or 10 spaces ahead clockwise from the notch 96, which is angle B minus angle A in FIGURE 5. The 8 spaces are on the 32- day dial.

In routine operation all the user has to do, on the day when new menstruation occurs, is to pull out the knob, turn it in either direction until it turns free, then push in the knob, turn it in either direction until it turns free, then release it. A spring 81 withdraws the knob 82 and pinion 60 to a neutral position out of engagament with either dial.

For first-time use, the knob must first be pushed in and'turned until a known previous length of cycle, or 28.-if none is known, appears at index, following which the routine setting as above is followed.

Turning now to FIGURES 9, 10 and 11, a modified version is shown embodying the same general principle but with click-stops falling into punched holes instead of the pinion 60 falling into notches as in FIGURES 4 and 5. A flat spring is mounted on a bracket 102 attached to the frame 126. This spring has a notch in one edge which rides in a groove 107 in the setting pinion 106 and normally keeps the pinion in neutral position between dials 136 and 138, but can be bent by endwise movement of the knob 122 to permit the pinion to selectively engage the teeth of either of the dials.

At its upper end the spring 100 has oppositely formed prongs 112 and 114 facing respectively toward the dials 136 and 138, which have holes as 137 and 139 respectively at the appropriate locations. The brake is similar to that shown in FIGURES 2 and 3. When the knob 122 is pulled out and turned, the groove in the pinion bends the spring 100 and the prong 138 resiliently to ride against the inner surface of the dial 138. When the hole 138 comes around the prong 112 snaps into it and holds the dial against further rotation, but is released as soon as the endwise pressure on the knob is released. This puts the O-dial 138 in proper relation to the M-dial. When the knob 122 is pushed in and turned the prong 114 rides on the M-dial 136 until it snaps into the hole 137 in the M-dial. This positions the M-dial, and the O-dial with it, for the beginning of the new cycle, with the number 1 on the M-dial at the index 24. The operation is the same as in the notch-type arrangement except that the turning of the knob is limited by the click-stops instead of being set free by the notches.

While a single form and variations of the invention has been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. As various changes in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. A rhythm clock comprising clock driven means, two coaxially mounted signalling members having circular edges, means for frictionally actuating the said signalling members from said driven means through one revolution in a period suflicient to include the number of days in a Womans menstrual cycle, the first of said members having circumferential markings representing the days of the said cycle and a mark denoting the menarche, and the second of said members having a segment denoting the beginning and length of the fertility period, an index stationary on the clock, and manually operable setting means engaging the said circular edges to turn said signalling members adapted to turn the second member independent of the first member and the driven means to a position where the fertility signal follows the menarche signal by an interval mechanically and automatically controlled by the mechanically registered length of the preceding menstrual cycle, and to turn the two signalling members together independent of the driven means until the menarche signal is at the index position ready for the beginning of a new cycle.

' 2. A clock according to claim 1 wherein the signalling members include means independent of any uniformly spaced indicia for preventing the movement of said members beyond the said positions by the manual operable means.

3. A clock according to claim 2 wherein the means is effectively operable upon manual rotation of the members in either direction.

4. A clock according to claim 1 wherein the manually operable setting means includes a manually operable setting member mounted for axial and rotational movement to engage one or the other of said signalling members, and brake means for holding the first signalling member upon axial movement of the setting member to actuate the second signalling member, and for releasing said first signalling member upon axial movement of the setting member to actuate the first signalling member and the second signalling member frictionally therefrom.

5. A clock according to claim 4 wherein the signalling members have circular edges, and the setting means when axially moved to actuate one signalling member or the other, engages one or the other of the circular edges, and in which the circular edges each have a notch to prevent engagement of the setting means to limit rotation of the members at the said respective position.

6. A clock according to claim 5 wherein the notches limit rotation of the members at the said positions by the setting means when rotated in either direction.

7. A clock according to claim 1 wherein the setting means includes a brake adapted to hold the first signalling member stationary, a manually operable setting member mounted for endwise and rotary movement, having means adapted in one endwise position to apply the brake to the first signalling member and to engage and turn the second signalling member to an angular position relative to the first signalling member controlled by the amount of angular movement made by the first signalling member during the whole of the preceding menstrual cycle, and adapted in its other endwise position to release the brake and to engage and turn the first and second signalling members together until the menarche signal is at the index signifying the beginning of a new cycle.

8. A clock according to claim 7 wherein the setting member is provided with a spring effective to withdraw the setting member from engagement with the first signalling member.

9. A clock according to claim 8 wherein the second signalling member has a configuration to prevent the means to turn from engaging the second member at one location whereby movement of the second member in either direction beyond said location by the means to turn is prevented.

10. A conventional clock having clock driven means,

two coaxially mounted signalling members, means for frictionally rotating said signalling members together from said driven means in unison at the rate of one revolution in a period sufiicient to include the days of a Womans menstrual cycle, the first of said members having circumferential markings representing the days of the said cycle and a mark denoting the menarche, and the second of said members having a segment denoting the beginning and lenth of the fertility period, an index stationary on the clock, a brake adapted to act upon the first of said signalling members; and manually operable setting means mounted for endwise and rotary movement and adapted in one endwise position to apply the brake to the first signalling member and to engage and turn the second signalling member independent of the said first member to a position where the fertility segment follows the menarche signal by an interval mechanically controlled by the mechanically metered length of the preceding menstrual cycle, and in its other endwise position to release the brake, rotatably engage the said first member, and turn the first and second members together to a second position where the menarche is at the index, ready for the beginning of the next cycle.

11. A clock according to claim 10 having means to render the setting means inoperative to turn the second dial beyond the predetermined position, and the first dial beyond the second position.

12. A rhythm clock having clock-driven means, two coaxially mounted signalling members, means for frictionally rotating the said signalling members together in unison by the said driven means in a period sufficient to include the days of a menstrual cycle, the first of said members having markings denoting the menarche and the days of the menstrual cycle, and the second of said members having markings denoting the beginning and length of the fertility period, an index stationary on the clock, and manually operable setting means adapted to turn the second signalling member, independent of the first signalling member and the driven means, to a predetermined position with relation to the index, and to turn the two signalling members together in unison to a predetermined and mechanically stopped position with the menarche signal at index, both of the said turning movements being limited by cutaway conformations of the respective signalling members coacting with stop conformations, the said conformations on each signalling member being so located as to automatically put the fertility marking at a relation with the menarche marking controlled by the length of the previous completed cycle as indicated by the terminal position of the menarche signal with reference to the index.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,979,884 4/1961 Gordon. 3,255,581 6/1966 Gordon. 3,327,470 6/ 1967 Kuzara 58-4 3,082,947 3/ 1963 Livingston 584 RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examiner EDITH C. SIMMONS, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 58-5 

